Justice starts to be served for animals killed in Hamilton twp. shelter

                                         Catster pic

“Evil will out”: a pithy expression that’s often true.  Ultimately, finally, evil is recognized . . . and dealt with.

Last week in Hamilton Twp., NJ, Jeff Plunkett, health director and director of the township’s animal shelter, was indicted on “animal cruelty and official misconduct charges,” the Times of Trenton reported on Thursday.  Months of rumors, apprehensions and complaints had focused on the helpless animals housed at that so-called “shelter.”

On Plunkett’s watch, 236 cats and 93 dogs -- totaling 329 innocent animals -- were euthanized before being held for the state-mandated minimum of seven days (allowing for owners to claim missing pets and for others to line up a pet to rescue or adopt).  Those 329 animals had no such luck.

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Four years ago, a $1.1M shelter renovation added 16 dog kennels and doubled space for cats from 25 to 50.  Despite the fanfare, that upgrade apparently didn’t impact animals’ chances for live release from the Hamilton facility: the needless killing continued.  And in 2018, citizen complaints about conditions at the shelter prompted an investigation by the state Dept. of Health.

Obviously, that place was bad in countless ways for animals.  

What did Plunkett think as undeserving shelter animals were prematurely put down?  Did he think, or feel?  How about other shelter staff and volunteers: where were they when these killings occurred?

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And what about then-mayor Kelly Yaede, who decried investigations of the shelter and described charges against Plunkett and an associate as part of a “political witch hunt”: what did she know about these animal killings, when did she know it -- and what did she do?

As Hamilton Township’s newly-elected mayor, Jeff Martin (former council president and one of those who had raised questions about the animal shelter) will reportedly form a transition team for the shelter.  Will more indictments follow?  Will more evil come out?  Will this shelter ever really live up to its name?

Adopt a senior pet month

I’ve heard of people who ask to adopt the shelter pet most needy or least likely to be chosen otherwise.  That’s exactly what some senior pets need to have happen in their lives -- and it happened, in this Dodo story!     

https://www.thedodo.com/close-to-home/man-adopts-shelters-oldest-dog

                                      The Scoop pic

Of course, many of us could also bring home a senior pet.  What better time to offer the warmth and love older pets need and deserve than during this holiday season?

The ASPCA reports that an overwhelming majority of the 3.2 million shelter animals adopted each year are under one year old.  That leaves a tragic number of older pets in shelters at the time they most need a home.  

Thanks to Brian Hackett, NJ director of the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), for the tip below that may facilitate more adoptions!  (It’s worth noting that Hackett’s feline-filled household includes 20-year-old LucyAnn, adopted from a shelter after being surrendered at age 17.  She’s still going strong, he says. )

“Stella and Chewy’s is offering to pay adoption fees for senior dogs and cats across the US!”

In honor of National Adopt a Senior Pet Month, Stella & Chewy's (Wisconsin-based pet food co.) has pledged to cover the cost of adoption fees for dogs and cats four years and older.  Its “Journey Home Fund” aims “to bring awareness to the awesomeness of adult and senior pet adoption.”  https://cbs58.com/news/oak-creek-based-company-stella-chewys-will-pay-for-senior-pet-adoptions-across-us-in-november?fbclid=IwAR1TbXGgCvvy0nFTprbv0d0JYHHT024XFkZ0yhlqr_csnEv5F1PBsmaMZrU

All that and a month’s free food too -- what are we waiting for?    

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Your comments -- particularly about adopting senior pets -- are always welcome at 1moreonce.blogspot.com.  If you’re with a shelter or rescue group, you’re in an ideal position to recommend senior pets who especially need a loving home.  Please reach out!